Plot
Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale of one man learning the true meaning of Christmas is brought to the screen once again in this made-for-TV movie. Ebenezer Scrooge (George C. Scott) is a cynical old man whose greatest concern is money, and who regards compassion as a luxury he can't afford. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley (Frank Finlay), his former business partner, who arranges for Scrooge to be visited by three spirits in an attempt to show him the error of his ways -- the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Angela Pleasence), Christmas Present (Edward Woodward), and Christmas Yet to Come (Michael Carter). The spirits force Scrooge to examine the failings of his own life, as well as the bravery and optimism of his loyal but ill-treated employee Bob Crachit (David Warner). A Christmas Carol also features Susannah York as Mrs. Crachit, Anthony Walters as Tiny Tim, and Joanne Whalley as Fan. ~ Mark Deming, RoviReview
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is one of the most filmed stories in the history of cinema, so saying that Clive Donner's 1984 version is one of the best out there is no small bit of praise. Donner's interpretation has a Masterpiece Theater quality that permeates all aspects of the production, with George C. Scott setting the standard in the central role. Scott brings a thespian's commitment and a highly intellectual tone to the proceedings, making clear that Ebenezer Scrooge's disdain for Christmas springs from a place of logic and premeditation, not just reactionary negativity. Scrooge's disposition is not nearly so chilling when the actor and director choose to blame it on meanness only; the courage of his convictions is what makes Scrooge so dastardly. His joy in the final scene is therefore that much more cathartic, having been dug up from such a deep place. David Warner, a villain in such films as Tron and Time Bandits, turns out to be an excellent Bob Cratchit, and Edward Woodward is particularly memorable as a booming Ghost of Christmas Present, accounting for much of the film's humor. The grim reaper effects are sufficiently creepy, and Donner's film has a good period authenticity in its look as well. This A Christmas Carol is distinctive and enduring enough that one tends to forget it was originally made for television, and those origins don't undermine its credibility in the slightest. Truth be told, by 1984, the story had been told so many times, straightforward versions had stopped getting theatrical releases. Only modern updates like the Bill Murray vehicle Scrooged still found their way to the multiplexes. ~ Derek Armstrong, RoviCast
- George C. Scott - Ebenezer Scrooge
Credit
Peter Childs - Art Director, Noel Davis - Casting, Tony Britten - Conductor, Clive Donner - Director, Peter Tanner - Editor, Robert E. Fuisz - Executive Producer, Nick Bicat - Composer (Music Score), Tony Imi - Cinematographer, William F. Storke - Producer, Alfred R. Kelman - Producer, Roger O. Hirson - Screenwriter, Charles Dickens - Book Author| A Christmas Carol (1977 Film), A Christmas Carol (1951 Film) | |
| A Christmas Carol (1994 Film), A Christmas Carol (1997 Film) |
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